Maria M. Williams took notice of the lack of opportunities for Black artists in San Antonio. She took action and began her journey in art advocacy in 2019 with an initiative called the Art of Four, which was a team of four Black artists joining to obtain opportunities and exposure. The need to have a physical space for the Black artists in San Antonio quickly grew. Equipping her 13+ years of event planning, Maria opened In the Eye of the Beholder art gallery in September 2021. What started as a small initiative of 4 has now grown into a collection of 40+ artists. Maria also does work for the community outside the gallery, working as San Antonio’s district 2 art commissioner.
